#GetSOM via @essince
DHM DRE debuts his new single “HUSTLEMAN” about the everyday trial and error of a hustler.
Listen to his “HustleMan” album available Now by DHM Dre on SoundCloud and follow @DHMDRE242 on Instagram
#GetSOM via @djspins
Recently I got the chance to chop it up with SANTA SALLET to get to know the upcoming DMV recording artist and speak on what he has going on currently.
DJ SPINS: What is your Stage Name? Please tell us where you’re from and what first got you interested in the entertainment industry?
Santa Sallet: My name is Santa Sallet and I was born a champion in Roseau, Dominica. I currently rep the DMV. I love cartoons and I excelled at poetry at a young. One day I came home and I saw Busta Rhymes’ video Gimme Some More and the rest is history.
DJ: Who and/or what inspires you to create?
SS: I see rap kind of like martial arts. I enjoy the sport of rapping and I want to continue sharpening my sword and my skills. The way I can do that is to rap with the best. To do that, I need to be part of the best of them.
DJ: How would you describe your sound?
SS: Classic. I bring a lot of classic 90s rap sounds with a modern flair. My rap style is really a child of New York/East Coast rap.
DJ: What is your creative process like?
SS: I am always freestyle. I am forever freestyling. I will hear a beat that’s so dope once it comes on that I can’t stop freestyling to it. The only way I can stop is to conquer the beat by writing a song to it. Then I can find peace once more.
DJ: What artist(s) would you like to collaborate with?
SS: Busta Rhymes, obviously, but also Schoolboy Q, ASAP Mob, Tyler the Creator, Dave East, Maxo Kream, Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar, and the legends like Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z.
DJ: If you could open a show for any artist who would it be?
SS: Schoolboy Q or Tyler the Creator right now would be dope.
DJ: What is one message you would give to your supporters?
SS: Think and grow rich. What you think, say and do is what you will become.
DJ: What is the most useless talent you have?
SS: Juggling and completing Rubik’s Cubes really fast are pretty useless talents.
DJ: What would you be doing right now, if you weren’t doing music?
SS: The same thing I do every day. Try to take over the world. Being a rapper is just the start. I am an entrepreneur and rapping is just one of my business ventures. So I guess I’d still be making money.
DJ: Who are some artists you admire and why?
SS: I admire Kanye West. He was one of the first artists known for both their production and ability to rap. I wanted to emulate that and produce my own rap albums. In addition to Kanye West, I also admire other billionaire rappers such as Jay-Z and Dr Dre (Not quite…but you get the idea). I too would like to be a billionaire rapper. Finally, I admire Will Smith. What an amazing career. He’s also one of my early rap influences. He has a phenomenal career as a CLEAN rapper and actor. I too would like to rapper/actor.
DJ: What is the best advice you’ve been given?
SS: Be original. I was lucky enough met DJ Jazzy Jeff for the release of his album “The Magnificent” during a family vacation in Cape Town, South Africa. I bought his record and lined up for a signature. When I got to the front I asked him if you had one piece of advice for an aspiring rapper, what would it be? He thought about it and replied, “Just be original. No matter what you do or what anybody says just be original. Be yourself. Be original.” As a huge Fresh Prince fan, I remember being SUPER nervous at the time and like walking away when he started talking, but he stopped me because he really wanted to make sure I heard what he was saying. I now approach my rap career with these words in mind.
DJ: If you could change anything about the industry, what would it be?
SS: I wish it was easier to use other people works to create derivative works. Like I get its copyrighted and you need to be compensated. I don’t get why you are allowed to say no. Let’s make sampling easier. I guess you could disagree with the message your music is being used for, but that’s art. I think it’s meant to be free to grow and evolve. They say you have two deaths: The first is when you die. The second is the last time someone says your name. I want to live forever, baby. Use my music.
DJ: What’s next for you, where would you like to see yourself in the next year?
SS: I want to go on tour. I will be dropping my official mixtape early next year. Be on the lookout for Plutography. I want everybody to hear it. I plan to rap all over the world.
DJ: What is your social media? How can people get in contact with you?
SS: You can find me on everything @SantaSallet. You will find me hanging out on Instagram the most. If you want to get in touch head over to my website at www.SantaSallet.com and fill out the contact form. Otherwise, don’t be weird and just drop me a message on any of my socials.
#GetSOM via @mochathemack
Happy Monday! Y’all know I’m always going to shoutout the 502 especially, because lately they’ve really been putting on. Although it seems like this Louisville artist always leaves his fans on read, he’s returned! BRYSON TILLER released ‘Killer Instinct 2’, which is a sequel to his 2011 Halloween mixtape by the same name. It very much gives Trap Soul Halloween, so let’s get into it.
This new release consists of 13 tracks including Tiller’s rendition of Normani’s “Wild Side” and Chris Brown’s “Heat”. The TrapSoul creator also only features fellow Kentucky artists like Julius Keith, Marz, and producer Rob “Saint” Calloway. These folks made ART fit into 28 minutes. (And can talk about the Diddy intro on Money Dance?)
Ima keep showing them what Louisville sounds like…”
@juliuskeithmusic
Tiller took to the internet and assured fans that new albums are on the way citing his grandmother’s death as his reason to resist stagnancy. This is certainly reflected in the first track entitled “First Call”, which appears to be a conversation with himself about getting back on track. He follows up in the calls after to remind young Tiller to keep going, also revealing that the second voice is future Tiller. Bryson is now gearing up for his long-awaited album Serenity, the follow-up to last year’s Anniversary.
Celebrating the anniversary with you guys last year really helped me fall in love with making music… because to be honest, for a while there I really didn’t want to be bothered with anything music related…”
@brysontiller
What I love about this project is how raw it is! Bryson was just honest through and through, in addition like he said, he just came to be an artist and create with no expectations. He did just that! That “Kentucky Shit” was just dope in a right of its own because this is honestly a song I’ve been waiting for from him. Oh, and the Marz vocals – YES!
If you haven’t heard it yet, tap in here. After you listen, tell me what the best track was! Take listen to the first volume of the mixtape here.
THE QUEST CHRONICLES: SPEAK UP! Is this mic on because I have something to say. In life we deal with people on the regular; experiencing a variety of emotions, attitudes, hearing different perspectives, etc. Things change when dealing with people on a personal level because communication is a struggle.
It still saddens me to this day that it’s so hard for people to communicate with their loved ones. If there is an issue; speak up! If there is tension; Speak Up. If you’re uncomfortable; SPEAK UP!
Yes, some make it hard to comfortably converse with them but is it worth you holding all that hurt and tension inside? Sometimes you have to stop sparing your own feelings to protect others. Easier said than done but you have to take the first step.
THE QUEST CHRONICLES: SPEAK UP!
This is Ms. Gotta Love Me herself T-Quest & you’ve just been Questified! Show love by commenting, sharing & following me on social media @TQuestGLM Email me topics to discuss & QUESTions you may have. To learn more about the one & only T-Quest or to hear about certain topics in-depth please download my “T-Quest” app in your google play store & your app store. On the app, you’ll be able to hear Gotta Love Me Radio 24/7. Visit my website www.GottaLoveMeWorld.com to buy any merchandise as well as my music.
Check out more of T-Quest articles here: https://www.straightofficial.com/?s=The+Quest+Chronicles
Etienne Conner, known as 85Royaltee, is a musician from Florida who has been in the industry since he was 15 years old. He began his career as an engineer and was originally not a huge fan of the spotlight. That all changed when he realized people won’t let you touch their music without hearing what you can do. He started to freestyle, mix, and master his own music. He ended up gaining a fanbase, and didn’t expect to connect with people the way he has throughout his career.
85Royaltee fully realized his potential when he had his first performance and forgot the lyrics to his verse. The crowd became was upset that the song was ending prematurely. It was a song that 85Royaltee composed, and he couldn’t ignore his call to music any longer.
“At that moment, I realized that I needed to take this seriously and go hard. Succeeding [in the music industry] isn’t easy – it takes practice and you have to grind and perfect this craft,” he explained.
85Royaltee has kept his word, consistently dropping new music, promoting his work and performing in and out of the U.S. He even lived in Japan for about a year, where he performed and reached a new audience. “I love performing and seeing people who don’t speak my language, vibing to my music; that was the best feeling I’ve had so far.”
With all of this experience under his belt, 85Royaltee has improved both musically and financially.
I’m proud of how far I’ve come. A lot of people say they want to do it, but don’t follow through. I’ve managed to follow through for so long and it’s paying off. I’ve even tapped into the business side of the music industry, which will help me grow even more.
85Royaltee on his experience in the music industry
Of course, the music industry comes with its challenges. 85Royaltee wants to focus on reaching the masses and expanding his audience while staying true to himself. “A lot of people will tell you to change your sound, your cadence, or your fashion. I’ve continued to be me and it’s gotten me where I am today.” He encourages young artists to do the same and to stick to their unique styles.
While 85Royaltee creates different styles of music, he enjoys writing and performing emotional, more personal, songs the most. “Writing is therapeutic to me. I write about things that I’ve been through personally. This allows people to connect with me as an artist. I can make party music but I make love songs, too. There’s that pain I express too. I would rather have a fan connect and relate with me more than anything else.”
85Royaltee is not letting Covid slow him down, and has released two dope singles, “3am” and “Tryna Touch A Mili.” Living by his motto, “don’t stress over what you can’t change,” he has successfully adapted to the music industry and is headed to the top of the charts at an international level.
Check out 85Royaltee’s music on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and follow him on Instagram @85royaltee!
#GETSOM via @miya
Anthony Bailey aka AntBailey is bringing us a New Genre ‘Rap-Pop’. Queens-born, Atlanta- raised artist who has a creative vision that he wants to share with the world. He saw music as another way of expressing himself and found that calling in high school. But it wasn’t until after learning Dance at The Artist Institute of Atlanta when he started to take music seriously. In 2013, he recorded professionally, producing the beat for his single “Get Like That,” after that, he knew that he can make anything.
In 2014, the rapper/songwriter has cranked out his debut EP. Got Energy, which featured such tunes as “Moodkiller” and his hit single, “Energy”, which hit nearly 7K likes on Soundcloud. AntBailey describes his music as “Hype- Conscious,” meaning high energy, but also informing music with some subliminal and thought-provoking messages. shows his versatility by not only performing hip hop and R&B, but also Pop, Rock and EDM.
In Atlanta, he got the attention of HoodRich Pablo Juan’s older brother, Caleb and in New York, YNVS CEO Juan “Shampoo” Ramirez, who took AntBailey under his wing.
AntBailey cites J. Cole, DMX, Coldplay, Usher, the King of Pop, Michael Jackson as his musical influences, but idolizes the hardest working man in showbiz, James Brown, whose stage presence and performance AntBailey takes after.
AntBailey has performed in both New York and Atlanta as well as Coast 2 Coast Live and SXSW. His goal is to be one of the greatest performers of all time, bringing back the feeling of performing and the lost art of dancing in hip hop. He hopes to open doors to more than just music, but to fashion and art as well, making him the creative visionary he was born to be.
I’m currently working on visuals for my new single, “Bad Lil Shawty” as well as my debut album on the YNVS label. Stay in tune with my New Genre ‘Rap-Pop’
–AntBailey
Stay Connected
https://linktr.ee/Ynvsantbailey
Instagram: @ynvsantbailey
Twitter: @ynvsantbailey
TikTok: @antbaileyyy
CELEBRATING HIP-HOP, LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE, THIS IS STRAIGHT OFFICIAL MAGAZINE
#GetSOM via @mochabk
If you look up ‘multiple streams of income’, next to it you’ll see Nick Cannon’s name. We’re always seeing him make countless appearances throughout pop culture. It’s literally been that way since the beginning of 21st century. Some works we even identify as crucial in order to maintain your “black card”. Nick’s body of work and his influence is immense. I don’t know who Nick thinks he is, but he is obviously creating a mogul that you’d love to be.
We make a lot of jokes about his distasteful music, his ex-wife being worth more than him, and his basketball team of offspring (ages 10 months – 10 years). Beyond that all, he is a powerful man. Cannon has had every opportunity to fail, but as multitalented as he is I just think that’s something he won’t do. He’s established longevity, so while we’ll probably never stop joking on him, we see you king and we’re rooting for you!
Lil Kim recently revealed Cannon as her manager while implying that we can see all 7 of his children on the cover of Drake’s Certified Lover Boy. However, this bond is apparently nothing new and they’ve been “best friends” for years now. What is new is that his namesake show, is being considered to take the time slot of Wendy Williams. Wendy has been deemed not healthy enough to return to air and has delayed her season premiere for weeks now.
You may remember that not long ago, Nick was kicked off of the ViacomCBS network for allegedly making “racist” and “anti-Semitic” remarks. His nationally syndicated morning radio show was also pulled before being moved to midday after his reinstatement to the respective networks.
See some of Nick Cannon’s greatest moments down below. Check out why we love to hate him, then take the quiz below to see if you’re a real Nick Cannon fan!
#GetSOM via @TenthLetterMedia
FRANCIS STUEBER, legendary guitar tech from the rock bank KISS has died. The 52 year old musician passed away on Saturday. This news has left his family and fans to mourn his loss. iHeart Radio reports the band cancelled their concert on Sunday following the news of Stueber’s death. It wasn’t known how long “Fran” had been ill or whether he was on the road with the band at the the time of his passing.
Longtime friend Paul Stanley was devastated saying in a statement, “My dear friend, buddy and guitar tech for 20 years, Fran Stueber died yesterday suddenly of Covid. Both on and offstage I depended on him for so much. My family loved him as did I. He was so proud of his wife and 3 boys as they were of him. I’m numb.”
Steuber had a storied career in music, working alongside REO Speedwagon, Heart & The Offspring. KISS had announced that all precautionary measures were taken in preventing any COVID related issues while on tour. The band would cancel their End of the Road farewell tour in September two weeks in when Gene Simmons and Stanley would contract the virus. Both artists would go on to make full recoveries.
We all lost someone so special.
Paul Stanley on his thoughts of Francis Steuber’s passing on Saturday
COVID-19 has claimed another well known personality today as we reported earlier in confirming the passing of Former Secretary of State Colin Powell. TenthLetterMedia & Straight Official Magazine offer our prayers and condolences to Francis Steuber’s family and fans.
Born in Haiti and based in New York, Lil Haiti has been in the music industry for a long time. Since the age of five, his work includes singles dating back to 2015 such as “Good Vibe”, his albums The New Haiti (2017) and Trust the Process (2018), and his newest song “Where The Cap At” featuring Flipp Dinero.
Lil Haiti’s music travels in time and tells stories of his life. In his new single, “Where The Cap At,” the lyrics, “If you talkin’ money/drop your Cash App,” refers to a time during the pandemic when he was providing financial support to his followers and fans via Instagram. He believes that music isn’t the only way he can help people. This is why he continues to work a 9-5 job on top of his music.
I’m for the people. I’ll use my 9-5 money to feed whoever I need to feed and give back to the community. I want them to know that this is not from my label, this is from me.
Lil Haiti
We discussed his upcoming giveaway for single mothers. The sweepstakes included a day at the spa, a nice dinner, a meet-and-greet, as well as $300. “Whether you’re a nurse or a teacher, any job, single moms need some time to themselves. Being a single parent is not easy. I wanted to give them a great time to have fun and to relax.”
Lil Haiti has been helping others since he was a kid. This trait will remain with him for the rest of his life. His support doesn’t stop at the community but also includes other artists in the industry. One of his next career goals is to create his own label. This will act as space for up-and-coming artists to gain the experience that they need to succeed. He believes in giving opportunities to young artists, especially those with similar backgrounds.
“I feel like some people think that needing to work hard for so many years means you can’t help others in the process. But I think that knowing how hard it can be should give you even more reason to help others in similar situations. Give advice, make it easier for them. You don’t have to give the entire plan but at least help create the blueprint to start their own journey.”
With his years of experience, Lil Haiti has a few key strategies to succeed in music. He uses an analogy of building a house and says that much like a house the music industry requires time, patience, and a strong foundation to make it to the top.
The music industry is not a fast cash, get-rich-quick scheme. Build a foundation so that when you have that one hit, you have nowhere to go but up because you already built something
Lil Haiti’s advice on how to become successful
Lil Haiti is living proof that you can succeed in music and still stay true to yourself. He has a strong purpose to help his community while simultaneously living the life he wants. “I want to bring hope to others and people that it’s possible to make it to the top by staying consistent, humble, and patient.”
Check out his new single “Where The Cap At” featuring Flipp Dinero and all of Lil Haiti’s music on Spotify and Apple Music, and YouTube! You can follow him on Instagram at @thereallilhaiti.
#GETSOM via @miya
COLIN POWELL has passed away .Confirming multiple news reports, the former Secretary of State and political pioneer died on Monday due to complications from COVID-19. Powell was the first African-American to serve in the position and was was highly revered. The Hill reports that the family of Powell announced his death in a recent statement. He was 84 years old.
The family also reports that Powell had been fully vaccinated and was at Walter Reed National Medical Center receiving treatment.” We want to thank the medical staff at Walter Reed for their caring treatment,” the family stated via Facebook. “We have lost a remarkable and loving husband, father and a great American.” Colin Powell was influential on Capital Hill, as he held critical positions during the terms of Ronald Regan, George H. Bush, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
TenthLetterMedia & Straight Official Magazine offer our prayers and condolences to his family. Rest well, king.
#GetSOM via @TenthLetterMedia
